Line-latching means for clothesline props



May 1948- c. J. N. KUENDEL 2,442,295

LINE-LATCHING MEANS FOR CLOTHESLINE PROPS Filed Aug. 15, 1947 FIG. 7 F76: 2

IN V EN TOR.

CARL J. /V. KUE/VDEL ATTORNEY Patented May 25, 1948 iJNETED STATES PATENT OFFICE LINE-LATCHING MEANS FOR CLOTHESLINE PROPS 2 Claims.

My present invention relates to clothesline props and particularly to means for holding the clothesline in a notch in the end of the Drop. There have been a number of these devices invented but most of them are too complicated to be pract cal and are not easy to operate. Among the objects of this invention are the provision of a structure for the purpose indicated which is easily manufactured. and easily installed; the provision of a structure of the character indicated which can be easily operated when applying it to a clothesline or when removing it therefrom; and such further objects, advantages, and capabilities as, will hereafter appear and as are inherent in the construction disclosed herein. My invention further resides in the combination, construction, and arrangement of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings and, while I have shown therein what is now regarded as the preferred embodiment of this invention, I desire the same to be understood as illustrative only, as I have made other forms of this device which serve the same purpose but which, in my judgment, are less desirable.

In the drawings annexed hereto and forming a part hereof,

Fig. 1 illustrates a structure embodying my present invention applied to one side of a clothesline prop, the same being shown in side elevation; and

Fig. 2 represents an edge View of the structure shown in Fig. 1, the rope and prop being shown, fragmentarily, in both instances.

Reference will now be made in greater detail to the annexed drawings for a more complete description of this invention. A clothesline prop l is shown as provided at one end with a V- shaped notch 2 for the reception of a clothesline 3, which is held in place by the latching means 4. This comprises an elongated, preferably flat plate of sheet metal, which is provided with a longitudinal slot 5. A pivot member 6 passes through the slot and into the prop I and enables both longitudinal and pivotal motion of the latching means 4, which is provided with a hook 1, extending laterally from one edge of the plate. As shown at 8, one end of the plate is bent out to form a finger piece by means of which the latching member can be moved longitudinally and turned about its pivot 6. A spring 9 is attached to a laterally projecting lug IE3 at the second end of the plate, and the second end of the spring is connected to a screw-eye II, representing any suitable securing means for the attachment of this end of the spring. It is obvious that a screw or nail could be driven into the prop I and serve the purpose which the screw-eye I I does.

It is clear that when it is desired to apply this latching means to a clothesline, the latching means 4 will be moved longitudinally and turned about its pivot so as to permit the clothesline 3 to be inserted into the bottom of the notch 2 in the upper end of the prop I. Then the latch will be permitted to move under the influence of the spring 9, and the hook I will engage the clothesline and pull it into the bottom of the notch where it will be held securely and will be prevented from movin lengthwise of the clothesline.

It will of course be understood that the specific description of structure set forth above may be departed from without departing from the spirit of this invention as disclosed in this specification and as shown in the attached drawings.

Having now described my invention, I claim:

1. A line-holder for a clothesline prop comprising an elongated, longitudinally slotted plate, having a laterally projecting hook at one end to engage a clothesline and pull it into engagement with the end of the prop, said plate having at one end a transversely extending finger-piece by which it may be manipulated and at its second end means for attachment of a spring by means of which the book may be drawn into engagement with a clothesline, and a screw extending through the slot to serve as a guide for the plate.

2. A clothesline prop comprising a pole having a V-shaped notch in one end for the reception of a clothesline, an elongated flat metal strip provided on one edge, adjacent one end, with a hook adapted to hook over a clothesline in the notch, said strip having a projection by means of which it may be manipulated, the strip having at its second end an attaching means for the connection of a spring and havin intermediate its ends an elongated slot for the reception of a pivot, a pivot extending through said slot and into said prop, and a spring under tension connecting said attaching means and said prop.

CARL J. N. KUENDEL. 

